Reef Runner faces loaded field for stateside return in Jaipur

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Home from a successful international trip earlier this year, Reef Runner resumes his American career in Saturday’s Grade 1 Jaipur Stakes at Saratoga.

It is not an easy spot for a comeback.

Reef Runner, trained by David Fawkes for owners and breeders Alex and JoAnn Lieblong, is part of a field of 10, all stakes winners.

The lineup includes the California-based mare Ag Bullet, who won the 2025 Jaipur; Litigation and My Boy Prince, who were third and fourth in the Grade 2 Twin Spires Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs on May 2; and John the Beer Man and Works for Me, who won allowance races in turf sprints in their last starts.

The $500,000 Jaipur is Reef Runner’s third start of the year, preceded by a win in the Group 2, $2 million 1351 Turf Sprint in Saudi Arabia in February, and a fourth-place finish in the Group 1, $1 million Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai on March 28.

Reef Runner had four workouts at Gulfstream Park in May before he shipped to Saratoga.

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“The works have been good,” Fawkes said. “His attitude is good.”

In the Al Quoz Sprint at six furlongs on a straightaway course, Reef Runner was beaten 1 1/2 lengths by Native Approach, and finished a neck behind third-place finisher Lazzat.

Earlier this week, Fawkes questioned whether rain in advance of the Al Quoz affected Reef Runner’s chances.

“I don’t think he liked the surface,” Fawkes said. “He never seemed to get a comfortable feel underneath him.”

The last time Reef Runner raced at Saratoga he finished eighth in the Mahony Stakes for turf sprinters in the summer of 2024.

So much has changed for the 5-year-old since then. He was gelded last summer, and has since finished first in four of six starts. Last fall, Reef Runner was fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar, finishing behind Shisospicy, who is currently sidelined.

Her absence does not make the Jaipur easier.

Reef Runner, who drew post 5, runs as a closer, and will be helped if Ag Bullet, John the Beer Man, and possibly the longshot Clock Tower, set a quick pace.

“It looks like there is plenty of speed,” Fawkes said.

In the early furlongs, Reef Runner will be joined toward the rear of the field by My Boy Prince, who won the Grade 2 Shakertown Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs at Keeneland on April 4, and closed with a wide rally to lose the Twin Spires Turf Sprint by a half-length. My Boy Prince was second by two lengths to Ag Bullet in the 2025 Jaipur.

Last year, Ag Bullet had her second start of the year in the Jaipur. She later won the Grade 2 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Sprint, was second in the BC Turf Sprint, and third in the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile at Del Mar on Nov. 30.

Ag Bullet, a seven-time stakes winner, has worked quickly on the synthetic training track at Santa Anita for her first start of the year on Saturday.

“It’s a lot to ask,” trainer Richard Baltas said. “But she shows up all the time.”

Litigation, who starts from post 3, will be ridden for the first time by Florent Geroux. Trained by Brian Lynch, Litigation won consecutive stakes at five furlongs on turf at Gulfstream Park earlier this year – the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint Stakes in January and Silks Run Stakes in March.

Litigation closed with a wide rally to finish fourth by 1 1/2 lengths as the 3-1 favorite in the Grade 2 Shakertown Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs at Keeneland prior to the narrow loss in the Twin Spires Turf Sprint.

Litigation has worked on turf since the May 2 race.

“He’s been touting himself this week,” Lynch said. “If he ships well and everything goes as planned, he should do well. I hope he can save ground and get a good trip.”

Litigation and the others must catch the 5-year-old gelding John the Beer Man, who led throughout a six-furlong allowance race on turf at Aqueduct on April 25, his third win in his fifth start. The Jaipur is his stakes debut.

“It’s a big step up in class, but he’s run some pretty big races,” trainer Rob Atras said. “We wanted to target this race after his last race. It’s good spacing between races.

“It looks like speed is his best weapon.

“Saratoga is a big thing for us. I think he deserves a shot. It’s a tough field, and a deep field.”

The Jaipur is a Win and You’re In qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

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